Stadium light poles that can fall recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled stadium light poles for inspection and repair Tuesday that may have been installed at several San Diego County schools, saying the steel poles can crack and topple causing injury or death.

More than 2,500 of the poles installed at parks, schools and recreational facilities nationwide are included in the recall.

The stadium poles manufactured by Whitco Company LP, a Fort Worth, Texas, company now out of business. The poles, distributed through lighting contractors nationwide, are 70 to 135 feet tall and weigh between 1 to 4 tons. As of June, the commission had confirmed 11 incidents of the poles falling over, but no known injuries.

San Diego County facilities that may have installed one of the poles include Coronado Middle School, Otay Ranch High School and Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, the commission reported. A complete list of possible locations of the poles is included on the commission’s website, at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10295.pdf.

“The poles can fracture or crack and fall over, posing a risk of serious injury or death to patrons and bystanders from being hit or crushed,” the commission reported in the recall. In one incident, a pole plunged through the roof of a school gymnasium; in two other cases they fell onto outdoor bleachers.

The commission advised the poles be inspected immediately to identify cracking at or near the weld connecting the pole to the base plate. For additional information, contact the commission at (800) 638-2772 or info@cpsc.gov.cq